Master Programs
Master of Nursing Program Application Process
For details about the Master of Nursing program, including admission requirements, visit the Master of Nursing Program.
Important Dates for September 2023 Intake
Applications for the September 2023 intake will open on November 15, 2022. We encourage applicants to apply by the early January 15, 2023 deadline in order to be considered for admission and awards. We will continue to accept applications for admission until April 30, 2023.
Applying for Fulltime Studies at Bloomberg Nursing
Please note that our MN programs are demanding, fulltime programs. We do not have part-time enrollment options. Students should not be enrolled concurrently in another educational program while enrolled at LSBFON. Information related to course load and placement hours and timing is found on our Master of Nursing program page. Applicants are encouraged to consider carefully how they will balance school work with other life demands.
School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Online Admissions Application
Please review important information below prior to submitting your application.
- If you are a first-time applicant, click Create an Account to begin your application. You will receive a verification code via email. Enter your verification code and create a password for your account. Once account is created, you may save and return to the application at any point in the process.
- Pay the mandatory application fee through the applicant status portal immediately after submitting your application. Your application will not be processed until the application fee is received.
- Upload required application checklist materials, including unofficial transcripts, statements of intent, and more, through your applicant status portal after paying the application fee.
- Enter information for referees. Referees will automatically receive a notification email that they have been requested to complete a reference for your application, along with instructions to submit their reference letter in the application system. If you need to change your referees, please contact connect.nursing@utoronto.ca (Subject line: Change referees for new applicant). Please provide your first and last name and U of T applicant number.
- You may send an email reminder to existing referees through your applicant portal after submitting your application.
- You may view your application status, including outstanding requirements, by logging in to your account and selecting view applicant status portal.
To apply for Master of Nursing (MN) program, please visit the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) application.
Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing Admission Awards
Applicants must complete BOTH the SGS Online Admission Application and the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Award Application by the January 15th deadline to be considered for admission and awards.
Announcement
Please note that we will not be offering admission to the Paediatric emphasis for the foreseeable future.
For September 2023 intake, applications open November 15, 2022 and close April 30, 2023.
How to prepare my application
Letter of Intent
Clinical Field and Health Systems Leadership and Administration (HSLA) Field:
(1) In 300 words please describe your short and long-term career objectives and how they will be advanced by the MN degree.
(2) In 300 words please outline any student, professional, or leadership contributions that are important for the Admissions Committee to know about.
Nurse Practitioner Field:
(1) In 200 words please describe how your previous health studies and clinical experiences have led you to pursue the NP program and influenced your choice of clinical focus (ie. Adult or Primary Health Care – Global Health).
(2) In 200 words please describe your short and long-term career objectives and how they will be advanced by the Nurse Practitioner program.
(3) In 200 words please outline what you hope to gain from your clinical placements.
Curriculum Vitae
You will be asked to upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the online application. Please use the categories listed below when you are developing your CV. If a particular heading does not apply, you may leave it out.
- Academic education (post-secondary degrees, diplomas, certificates)
- Continuing education (including workshops, professional development)
- Awards and honours (e.g., practice awards from employing organization, bursaries, scholarships)
- Professional employment (Please note whether roles were full-time, part-time, or casual)
- Relevant presentations / publications / research
- Current membership in professional organizations
- Committees (e.g., work-related, professional)
- Clinical / administrative / practice innovations (please provide brief descriptions or examples)
- Membership in research oriented organizations (please specify role)
- Relevant volunteer activities
Field of Study
You will be asked to indicate the field of study or program you have chosen. You will select one of the following:
- Health Systems Leadership and Administration;
- Clinical Nursing;
- Nurse Practitioner (Adult, Paediatric*, or Primary Health Care – Global Health).
*Please note that we will not be offering admission to the Paediatric emphasis for the foreseeable future.
Two Letters of Reference
Letters of Reference are submitted electronically through the SGS online application. You will need to provide the referees’ email addresses in your application. Please communicate with your referees in advance to confirm their contact information. After you pay the application fee, your referees are contacted by email to complete and submit an online Reference Form.
1. Academic Reference. Ideally your academic reference will come from a professor/lecturer who taught you and graded your written work during your previous degree and who can speak to your academic abilities. A preceptor or clinical instructor is not an appropriate academic reference.
If you are unable to obtain an academic reference from a previous professor, you can provide a reference from someone who has taught you in a continuing education course.
2. Manager/Supervisor Reference . Ideally your reference will come from your manager or a direct supervisor who is familiar with your practice and professional accomplishments (e.g., leadership, contribution to nursing, involvement in professional organizations). A colleague is not an appropriate professional reference.
If you are unable to obtain a professional reference from a manager, you can provide a reference from someone who is familiar with your clinical practice such as a Clinical Educator.
Note: SGS provides the option to select from Recommenders from Academic, Employer, and Professional. Bloomberg Nursing requires 1 Academic reference and 1 Manager/Supervisor reference. Applicants can select “Employer” or “Professional” reference to satisfy the Manager/Supervisor Reference.
Completion of Clinical Hours (NP & HSLA applicants only)
Applicants to the NP & HSLA program must complete a minimum of 3,900 clinical hours in a hands on clinical practice environment as an RN by August 31, prior to beginning the program in September. As part of your application, you will complete a form indicating when and where you completed (or will complete) your clinical hours.
Considerations Related to Clinical Experience Pre NP Application:
While each application is reviewed holistically, we do place a significant amount of weight in your clinical experience as a Registered Nurse. Considerations with respect to practice requirements for each emphasis are outlined below.
PHC-GH: Applicants to the PHC-GH emphasis should demonstrate experience in primary healthcare and exposure to a wide variety of populations (e.g., refugees, people experiencing homelessness, underserved groups etc.) and age groups (infant through to older adults). This may include settings such as community health centres, family health teams and nurse practitioner led clinics. Please note that experience in settings such as COVID vaccination clinics or cosmetic clinics would not apply.
Adult: Applicants to the Adult emphasis should demonstrate experience caring for adults in a variety of settings with exposure to a broad range of conditions. This may include in patient settings such as general internal medicine, oncology, cardiology, respiratory care, complex continuing care and long-term care (provided that there is also experience with younger adults). Outpatient settings such as emergency departments (adult or all ages) or ambulatory clinics are also acceptable.
Very specialized tertiary and quaternary care experiences such as trauma and ICU should be supplemented with experiences in other settings that are less acute.
For each emphasis, applicants should demonstrate a variety of experiences, while also ensuring that there is consistent tenure. Applicants with multiple experiences held for short durations of time will not be reviewed as favourably as those with longer term employment. While we invite applications from applicants with a variety of employment experiences, it should be noted that those with more robust clinical experience will be looked at more favourably given that they have had more time to develop their RN practice.
Proof of RN Registration
In order to be registered in our MN or NP programs, each student must be registered to practice as an RN. You will be asked to upload proof of registration to your application.
Electronic or Scanned Transcript
You will be asked to submit both an electronic copy of your transcript as well as an official transcript (paper copy by mail or electronic copy to connect.nursing@utoronto.ca).
You are required to upload one electronic or scanned transcript from each post secondary institution you have attended to the online application so that we may assess your file immediately. Scanned copies of transcripts must be up to date and must include the transcript “legend,” which is usually printed on the back of the paper transcript.
Technical Requirements
- Please scan your transcript in grayscale at the lowest dots per inch (dpi) setting that results in a legible document. We recommend 72 dpi whenever possible.
- The file must be in PDF format. Image files, such as those in .jpg or .bmp formats, must be converted to PDF before uploading.
- The file size of each scanned transcript file to be uploaded must not exceed 3 MB.
- If your transcript is double-sided, please be sure to scan the front and back of each page.
- The transcript legend (usually printed on the back of a paper transcript) must appear at least once for every scanned transcript submitted.
- Scanned documents must be clearly legible and print on standard CDN/US 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper.
- Do not upload a document that is password-protected or that contains macros.
- University of Toronto students may submit a screen capture of their academic history from the Student Web Services page of ACORN in place of a transcript. However, if you have attended multiple institutions, the other universities’ transcripts (with legend) must still be included in the file in chronological order.
Official Transcript(s)
You will be asked to submit both an electronic copy of your transcript as well as an official transcript (paper copy or electronic version). In addition to uploading a copy of your transcript, you should also order your transcript(s) from each university you have attended. Transcripts must be received by the Faculty of Nursing in an official envelope that is sealed and signed by the issuing institution across the seal OR by email directly from the issuing institution (send to connect.nursing@utoronto.ca). Only in the case of University of Toronto transcripts, applicants may submit an ACORN print-out of grades rather than an official University of Toronto transcript.
English Proficiency Test Results
International applicants must submit a copy of their English proficiency test scores. Applications with unsatisfactory test scores will not be assessed. This requirement should be met at the time you submit your application.
Award Application
The Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing has a number of awards for incoming MN students. In order to be considered for Bloomberg MN Admission Awards, applicants must submit both of the following applications by January 15, 2023:
- the SGS online admission application
- the supplementary online Bloomberg Nursing award application
You will be directed to the award application from the SGS application site or you can access it directly from our Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing site.
Interviews
An interview with the Admissions Committee may be required. If this is the case, we will contact you by email to arrange for an in-person interview or, if this is not possible, an interview by telephone. Interviews typically take place from February to June.
How to submit official transcripts or official e-transcripts and other documents required
U of T Transcripts
Only in the case of University of Toronto transcripts, applicants may upload and submit an ACORN print-out of grades rather than an official University of Toronto transcript.
You will be asked to submit both an electronic copy of your grades from ACORN (a print-out or legible screen capture) as well as a hard copy of your grades printed from ACORN. This only applies to University of Toronto transcripts. If you have attended other institutions as well, you will need to submit official transcripts from those institutions.
You may include a one-page cover letter to support your application if you believe your marks do not reflect your performance due to extenuating circumstances. Please upload the cover letter with your electronic transcript.
NB: (a) If you have an academic record at the University of Toronto prior to September 1998, you will need to order a U of T transcript as we are unable to access your grades on ACORN. (b) You are required to arrange official transcripts from the School of Continuing Studies (SCS), University of Toronto to be sent directly to the Faculty. The Faculty does not have access to records of the School of Continuing Studies.
All Other Transcripts
You will be asked to submit BOTH an electronic copy of your transcript as well as an official transcript (paper copy or electronic copy).
- You are required to upload one electronic or scanned transcript from each post secondary institution you have attended to the online application so that we may assess your file immediately. Scanned copies of transcripts must be up to date and MUST include the transcript “legend,” which is usually printed on the back of the paper transcript. You may include a one-page cover letter to support your application if you believe the marks you received do not reflect your performance due to extenuating circumstances. Please upload the cover letter with your electronic transcript.
- You should also order your transcript(s) from each university you have attended. Transcripts must be received in an official envelope that is sealed and signed by the issuing institution across the seal OR the issuing institution can email us an e-transcript.
Please email official e-transcripts to: connect.nursing@utoronto.ca
Please mail official transcripts to:
Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
MN Admissions
155 College Street
Toronto, ON
M5T 1P8
Proof of English Facility
English proficiency test scores can be submitted directly by the Test Centre to the School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto.
Alternately, test results can be sent directly to:
Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
MN Admissions
155 College Street
Toronto, ON
M5T 1P8Please refer to the School of Graduate Studies website for details around our institutional code number, acceptable tests, and minimum score requirements.
Additional Documents
International and internationally-educated applicants may have to submit additional documents such as English translations of academic records and copies of original degree diploma. Please refer to International Students and International Student Resources for details. Additional documents should be sent to:
Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
MN Admissions
155 College Street
Toronto, ON
M5T 1P8
How to ensure documents have been received
References
You can login to your application to check the status of your references. Once your referee submits his/her recommendation, you will be able to see that it has been received. Remember, it is up to you to ensure that you submit the correct contact information for your referee. It is also up to you to ensure your referee submits his/her recommendation by the application deadline. If you need to change the contact information you entered for your referee(s), please contact us at connect.nursing@utoronto.ca with the correct information and we will be able to make the change.Transcripts
Once we have received your official transcript(s), we will confirm receipt in your application within 48 hours. Login to your SGS application to ensure your transcript has been received.Additional documents
If you submit additional documents such as English Facility results, we will confirm receipt of the documents in your SGS application. Login to your SGS application to ensure receipt.
Master of Nursing: Frequently Asked Questions
Grades and GPA Calculation
What is the grade average required to be competitive to enter the MN Program?
Applicants must have obtained at least a mid-B standing in their final year of undergraduate study and, in addition, must have obtained at least a B standing in the next-to-final year. However, the MN program is highly competitive. Most successful applicants have a grade average of at least B+ or higher in the final year.
I am in my final year of study and grades for my final year will not be available until May. Which courses will be considered for my grade average?
Completed courses of your most recent year of studies (usually fall term courses of year four, summer courses – if any, and winter courses for your previous year) will be considered for grade average calculation at the time of our admissions review. The Admissions Office will recalculate your final year average when you submit final transcripts with all completed grades.
NP Applicants: For favourable review of your application and success in the program, a minimum grade of 70% in your most recent Pathophysiology/Pharmacotherapeutics/Human Physiology/Human Anatomy courses is suggested.
References
Can a TA be considered as an academic referee?
No. Your academic reference should come from a university professor/lecturer who taught you and graded your written work during your previous degree and who can speak to your academic abilities.
Can a Preceptor or Clinical Instructor be considered as an academic referee?
No. Your academic reference should come from a university professor/lecturer who taught you and graded your written work during your previous degree and who can speak to your academic abilities.
I have been out of school for a while. Can I submit two professional references instead of one academic reference and one professional reference?
No. You will want to make sure you have at least one referee who can speak to your academic abilities.
If you request a letter from a former professor, you may want to put together a package of information as that person may need to be reminded of who you are and of your abilities. You might include the following documents:
- Grades (unofficial transcript is fine)
- CV
- Statement of interest (so the referee knows what you’re applying to and what your goal/intent is)
- Piece of work that the referee has graded
Do not hesitate to request a letter years after you graduate, but DO provide the referee with information about yourself.
If you are unable to obtain an academic reference from a previous professor, you can provide a reference from someone who has taught you in a continuing education course. A preceptor or clinical instructor is not an appropriate academic reference.
Can I submit multiple academic references and Manager/Supervisor references?
No. Only one academic reference and one manager/supervisor reference are required. Please work to have the best academic and best manager/supervisor references rather than multiple references.
Admission Offers
When will I be notified whether I am admitted to the program?
We will start issuing admission offers as early as the end of March until the end of June on an ongoing basis.
Is there a waiting list? When will students be notified if they are placed on a waiting list?
Students who have been waitlisted will be notified by the end of June. Waitlisted students will be contacted from July until early September if there are spots available for them.
How to prepare for entry to the MN program once you have received an offer of admission:
Accept the Offer of Admission
You will receive your offer of admission via the Applicant Status page and by mail. To accept your offer of admission, complete the reply form included in your offer of admission and upload it in the Applicant Status page. Alternatively, you can email the reply form to connect.nursing@utoronto.ca. Please include the following information:
- Subject line: MN program offer of admission reply form
- Include your first and last name and your U of T student/applicant number in the email
Pay the Admission Deposit
Log into the Student Information System (ACORN) using your Join ID credentials to pay the $500 non-refundable admission deposit by June 15. If you receive your offer of admission after June 15, you have four weeks from the date of your offer of admission to pay the deposit.
Please note that this payment option includes a convenience fee of 2.50% billed directly by Moneris and non-refundable even if you decide not to study at the University of Toronto. For more information, visit Student Accounts.
It can take 2-3 business days upon receipt of the payment to record the deposit payment in your ACORN account.
Clear admission condition(s)
If you receive a conditional offer of admission, condition(s) will be outlined in your offer letter. It is your responsibility to submit all required official document(s) to satisfy admission condition(s) by the due date indicated in your offer of admission. Failure to satisfy condition(s) will jeopardize your entry to the program. Once your condition is cleared, you will receive notification via applicant status portal.
All official document(s) must be sent electronically directly from your institution to connect.nursing@utoronto.ca. Where electronic document(s) are not available, your institution may mail the document(s) to the address below.
Admission and Recruitment
Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
University of Toronto
155 College Street
Toronto ON M5T 1P8Entry to Program Requirements: Synergy
Every student is required to obtain a Student Preparedness Permit from the Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing Placement Office prior to starting the program each September. This involves completing and submitting a series of documents (i.e. police record check, immunization, CPR, etc.)
Synergy provides our students a convenient and secure login-based online system for uploading and storing their documents. Students have the ability to book when their files can be reviewed and check the status of their files 24/7. Synergy offers our students a quick turnaround for assessment of documents and reminders for any upcoming expiry dates.
Synergy will contact you by directly by email in the spring prior to beginning the program.
Immunization
All newly admitted students are required to complete immunization forms before entering the MN program. In order to comply with the Public Hospitals Act, other legislation, and to meet the requirements of the students’ nursing practice placement settings, the immunization forms package must be completed in its entirety. Failure to do so can jeopardize your entry to the MN Program. Please refer to MN Immunization Forms for more information. Updated information and full details will be sent to newly admitted students via email.
CNO Registration (or CNO equivalent if out of province)
Each MN student must submit their valid CNO registration number (or equivalent) to Synergy. Each student must re-submit their valid CNO registration number (or equivalent) to Synergy on an annual basis.
ACORN
You can access ACORN as soon as you accept your offer of admission. To log in for the first time, you will need your student/applicant number. For more information, visit ACORN Help. We encourage you to explore ACORN, where you will do many important activities including enrol in courses, monitor your student financial account, print your tuition invoice, and obtain tax documents.
TCard, UTORid and UTmail+
Your TCard is your University of Toronto student card and mandatory for many services and activities on-and off-campus. Once you obtain your TCard from the TCard Office, you will need to activate your UTORid and setup your UTmail+.
Fees, Registration, and Enrolment
A breakdown of your tuition and supplementary fees for the coming year is typically posted in ACORN in mid to late July. You can login to ACORN to monitor your student account and to print out your tuition invoice, once it is available.
You are considered registered as soon as you have paid tuition and incidental fees or have requested to register without payment (i.e. fee deferral). For information on registering without payment (i.e. fee deferral), visit the Graduate Fees section of the SGS website.
Full details on enrolling in courses will be emailed to all students by the Registrar.
Paying your tuition
You should login to ACORN and print out your invoice. For instructions on making your tuition payment, consult Student Accounts.
Orientations
School of Graduate Studies (SGS): SGS usually holds an orientation session during the first week of September. SGS will email you with full details over the summer.
All newly admitted MN students: The Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing hosts a full-day, in-person orientation session which is usually held during the first week of September. Full details will be emailed to new students over the summer.
Newly admitted Nurse Practitioner (NP) students: All NP students attend a mandatory residency and orientation which is typically held for the 4 days (Tuesday to Friday from 8am to 6pm) following the Labour Day Monday holiday. Full details will be emailed to NP students over the summer.
Bloomberg Nursing fellowships and awards available to graduate students.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Faculty of Nursing admissions awards allocated to students?
The Faculty of Nursing Admissions Committee assesses incoming student applications and assigns all awards. Some awards are allocated based on academic achievement or merit, while others are allocated based on financial need.
For example, half of our ~17 Schulich awards ($9,000 each) are given to students based on merit, and half are allocated based on student financial need.
What programs are included?
Incoming full-time Masters of Nursing (including Nurse Practitioner) students are eligible to consider for admission award. Part-time Post Masters Nurse Practitioner Diploma students are not included in the program.
What awards are available?
Complete list of admission awards
When will I find out how much my admission award is?
Notice of awards will be communicated in March.
Are students currently enrolled in the program eligible?
No. Only students starting the program in September are eligible for an admission award.
Are part-time students eligible (e.g., Post Masters Nurse Practitioner Diploma)?
No. The award guarantee only applies to incoming full-time students.
Questions?
Please contact Angela Ho
Financial Aid & Awards Officer
T. (416) 946-8165
awards.nursing@utoronto.ca